The issue includes a series of articles that explore how to improve health systems through innovation in population health and health services research.

The articles highlight advances in health technologies and initiatives that support the use of research to improve health policy and practice. However they also show that more work is needed, particularly to improve the way complexity of technological innovation is managed, and support coproduction of research by researchers and practitioners.

In a review article, researchers suggest that efforts to improve the use of research in health policies and programs should involve improved access to research summaries and greater involvement of policy makers in research.

An ‘In practice’ paper describes a NSW funding scheme that provides infrastructure support to research groups has supported recipients to produce high-quality, policy-relevant research, and increase its impact on policy and practice.

PHRP is Australia’s first online-only open access peer-reviewed public health journal, with a strong focus on connecting research, policy and practice.

Researchers are welcome to submit manuscripts and encourage their colleagues to submit. You can also subscribe to receive quarterly e-alerts when the journal is published, make suggestions about themes or topics for future issues, and follow us on Twitter @phrpjournal

Gaps in health policy around blood-borne viruses and sexually transmitted infections are being addressed by a targeted research program;

Access to research summaries and greater involvement of policy makers could boost the use of research evidence in health programs;

A Partnership Centre model has fostered an ambitious program of research into preventing chronic disease;

A research grants scheme is helping drive innovation in the NSW health system;

A funding support program has improved the quality of research into prevention;

An innovative IT solution is supporting key childhood prevention programs.

PHRP is Australia’s first online-only open access peer-reviewed public health journal, published by the Sax Institute with a strong focus on connecting research, policy and practice.

You can subscribe to receive quarterly e-alerts when the journal is published, make suggestions about themes or topics for future issues, submit papers and follow us on Twitter @phrpjournal